Brown Paper Tickets is delighted to highlight Silver Bullet Productions, the most recent recipient of our Giving Program donation. Our $500 donation will go directly to purchasing two film equipment packages for New Mexico rural and tribal student workshops. After the workshops are complete, the tools will stay, so the group of young filmmakers can continue to make media on important community subjects.

In addition to making beautiful, topical films, we were also impressed with Silver Bullet Productions’ model. Truly a labor of love and mentor-ship, the entire operation is 100% volunteer run. Pamela Pierce, the CEO and President shared that the board, advisers, and workshop leaders are all dedicated to the mission of empowering youth to use film as a creative storytelling mechanism.

Film Trailer

Excerpt from “A Thousand Voices” written by Maura Dhu Studi and directed by David Aubrey. View the full trailer here.

“SBP engages students and community members in an educational workshop or the creation of a film relevant to the geographic, cultural or historic vision of that community. The impact is educational change, historical awareness and preservation of culture,” notes Silver Bullet Productions.

When we think of the hustle and bustle of New York City and the animals that live there, what comes to mind? Well-groomed poodles? Pizza Rat? Along with its 8.6-million human residents, there are a whole lot of wild creatures in need of care and protection from the booming city.

Every month, Brown Paper Tickets selects a recipient for a one-time donation from a list of our user’s suggestions. Our latest recipient, the Wild Bird Fund stood out because it is a steward for wildlife in New York City. They see the beauty in pigeons, educate children to live in harmony with wild birds, and care for injured animals. They report that 90% of the animals brought to them are “directly or indirectly injured by human activity.”

The Wild Bird Fund can be found on the Upper West Side, a block from Central Park. They share on their site: “Located in the heart of the concrete jungle, the Wild Bird Fund provides the necessary medical and rehabilitation services for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife found in New York City.”

The Ruddy Duck, Light Weight Champ:

After surviving a rubber band assault and a dog attack (!!!) he was found in Brooklyn and brought to the Wild Bird Fund Rehabilitation Center.

A fighter at heart, he hissed at and tried to bite his caretakers and even escaped his cage during his stay—a good reminder that these wild animals are not pets. When he was eventually back in the pond at Central Park, he was in the right place.

Every month we get a plethora of online submissions through our suggestion page of good causes to send Brown Paper Tickets’ monthly donation to. Looking over the hundreds of entries each month renews my faith in humanity at a time when the world seems so low. Organizations fighting for human rights, food equality, the environment, animal justice, mental and physical health awareness and treatment, plus grassroots organizations out of homes, and large established fund raising organizations. They all have one truth in common, they were born out of the desire to help.

For us here at Brown Paper Tickets, it is not just the opportunity to donate to some of these fine organizations, but to amplify their voice and share their mission with you. We hope that our readership, event organizers, and attendees see something worthwhile in these causes and connect with them too. We research many organizations each month and lean towards smaller non-profits that have low overhead and administrative costs so that our donation can hopefully have a direct impact.

Shelter to Soldier in California is making an impact by adopting unwanted shelter dogs, often of high kill breeds, and putting them through an intensive training course to serveas a “psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or other injuries associated with traumatic service experiences.”

According to their site, in the United States, on average we lose 21 vets and active Military to suicide a day. We also lose 3,200 dogs a day to euthanization in our shelters. Pairing these two groups together can have a dramatic impact on both parties lives.

Miesha is photographed by Allison Shamrell Per Photography FB: @allisonshamrellphotography

Feel free to have some fun and check out their newest canine class here: http://www.sheltertosoldier.org/dogs/

If you have a box of tissues handy, view some Shelter to Soldier success stories here: http://www.sheltertosoldier.org/stories/

Every month, Brown Paper Tickets donates a portion of our profits to a charity suggested through this page. We receive hundreds of submissions from inspiring, heart-string-tugging outfits across the world and I am lucky to be part of the selection process.

This past month, we chose ECO City Farms of Prince George’s County, Maryland. We admire their work and love their cause. Boasting an inter-generational and diverse board, they are community and solutions driven. The organization works hard to solve problems facing low-income areas that have limited access to fresh food. ECO City promotes healthy farming, land restoration, empowerment, and is expanding their program. With a focus on food justice and environmental advocacy, they educate folks in farming to create sustainable small-scale food systems. This has a direct impact on clean produce accessibility.

They have created Urban Farm Models, Farm to School, Intern and Student Programs, a Foodshed Resource Center, all that teach people how to grow food to sell and feed themselves.

I am in love with ECO City and urge you to jump on board this donation train. If you feel inclined, donate here to support upcoming Urban Farming Projects. Here’s new terminology I learned while getting to know ECO City.

Food Justice Terminology

Food Desert: The USDA maps food deserts based on factors of access to fresh fruits and vegetables at local stores, access to transportation, low income and poverty rates, and urban/rural status. Take a look at the data.

Foodshed: A region that generates food for a local population. Food is grown, moved, sometimes sold, and consumed within the geographic region. ECO City works in Chesapeake foodshed.

Hoophouse: ECO City utilizes Hoophouses. They are similar to greenhouses but covered with plastic, which makes them lightweight, flexible, and less expensive to build. Hoophouses allow ECO City to grow produce year-round.

Certified Naturally Grown: ECO City is Certified Naturally Grown , a system used by “tens of thousands of farmers worldwide. These programs minimize paperwork and certification fees and employ a peer-inspection process built on local networks. They’re typically a better fit for small-scale producers who sell locally,” according to ECO City Farm’s website.

“Providing services that should be a human right for free.” We received this note along with the recommendation that Cancer Connection of Northampton, MA become a Brown Paper Tickets’ monthly charity recipient.

The message intrigued us.

It is essential that folks battling illness, as well as their friends, family, and caregivers find strength from community. Cancer Connection provides that community. Cynthia Tarail, of the organization’s Community Relations department shared this personal account from John, a person who received help from Cancer Connection:

“Two years ago, my wife was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. She was nursing our two-year-old at the time. The next day, my doctor told me there was a strong likelihood I had cancer, too. As I was driving home from the doctor in a daze, it suddenly hit me that I didn’t have a lick of life insurance, no savings, and that my children could likely to be orphaned in the next decade. I felt a cold rush that I had not felt since junior high — the feeling you get when you have really, really screwed up. I have never in my life felt a more horrifying sense of failure and dread…

I was in this state when I walked into Cancer Connection. A lovely and wise woman there gave me a cup of tea and sat down and talked to me. There are no words to describe the feeling of love and support you get when are at your absolute lowest, and somebody takes in you in, literally off the street, with open arms. I think it is like the firefighter who comes and rescues you from a burning house. I can honestly never forget the experience of what she did for me.” ~ John, 2016

Honoring Each Person’s Journey

Tarail explains, “when John walked into Cancer Connection’s homey living room on that cold, late winter day, he talked with someone who gave him her undivided attention, who listened closely and unconditionally with care, acceptance, and respect. That’s what John needed that day. He didn’t have to have an intake procedure. He didn’t have to prove he was eligible for anything in particular. In that first conversation, John talked a little about his family, his responsibilities, his emotions. And he learned that there’s a whole host of programs–all offered free–at Cancer Connection.

Soon after this visit, John joined a support group for caregivers, choosing what was right for him and his family. Cancer Connection honors each person’s journey through life. People’s lives do not start with a diagnosis of cancer, and their lives don’t stop with a diagnosis of cancer.

What if we addressed people’s lives, and what happens when cancer intervenes, rather than starting with the diagnosis and how the medical system will deal with it? Many people with cancer experience a loss of control over their lives and their futures. Thanks to financial support from individuals and businesses, Cancer Connection can provide one-to-one guidance, mindfulness practice, support groups, acupuncture, creative and physical outlets — options that enable cancer patients and their loved ones to feel understood and empowered. They can become active participants in their own care.

They are treated like individuals while knowing that they are not alone. And they let us know that they feel supported as they find their way. Giving to Cancer Connection means that our community can find survivorship care close to home.”

Cancer Connection has created a network of free services for both physical and emotional healing for anyone living with a cancer diagnosis, their families and care takers. They offer classes and services in a variety of areas.

Cancer Connection is funded through grants, donations and an internally operated thrift store. Every month, Brown Paper Tickets selects one charity from a large group of online submissions. This program stood out to us because of its community structure and unique services.

Every month, Brown Paper Tickets donates 5% of profits to a charity recommended that was by one of our users. (If you’d like to make a suggestion, we encourage you to do so here.) IndyHumane’s dog and cat residents stole our hearts, but also it is also a fiscally responsible and ethically transparent organization.

In addition to services for pets and their parents, foster opportunities and opportunities to volunteer directly with animals, IndyHumane has lots of pets looking for their forever homes. Last year, they helped place 3,312 animals into loving families.

Here are some of their services:

Medical and Behavioral Services

Adoptions

Foster Care Program

Volunteer Program

Dog Park

Pet Microchipping

While checking out IndyHumane’s site, the adorable Velma caught my eye. Find your new best friend. Search for dogs or cats and comment below with your favorite.

With so many great charities, choosing just one a month is a difficult task. There are submissions from many wonderful organizations that positively impact communities.

A New Leaf is a 46-year-old community nonprofit organization that provides a broad spectrum of support services to help individuals and families in crisis.

Many times, folks are stuck in situations out of their control and need a little help to get their lives set in the right direction. With dignity and compassion, A New Leaf improves the lives of families and individuals.

A New Leaf is a critical asset to their community and it is crucial that organizations continue do this work.

How to Give Big to A New Leaf

Giving volunteer time feels amazing. If you live in the Valley area of Arizona, please consider helping out. A New Leaf has both group and individual volunteer opportunities available. Learn more and sign up or have a blast at one of their special events.

Get your workplace, local school or community involved. Hold a donation drive for essential items.

Finally, you can donate direct and make an impact for A New Leaf and the people they serve. Donations are tax deductible and if you live in the state of Arizona, your donation may be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit from the state.